A new face for school lunches

January 21, 2009|By CHLOE MAPES, Shanksville

In 2004 the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act required each school to establish a wellness policy if they should choose to participate in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.

During the past four years the Shanksville-Stonycreek School District has begun to more thoroughly establish the wellness policy. The biggest change at Shanksville has been the change in ala carte items offered. Students in grades 1-5 cannot buy ice cream or any sugar item as an extra during lunch. All extra servings of a main menu item are single servings verses the “biggie” portions that used to be offered as an ala carte purchase.

Low fat/reduced calorie beverages and multi grain rolls are also being served. A new edition to the cafeteria this year was the use of sunflower butter in place of peanut butter, which cannot be used due to allergy awareness. The cafeteria's lunch recipes also reflect a reduction in fat and calorie content.

Advertisement

Along with a change for the better in school lunches, Shanksville schools also prohibits the selling of candy as a fundraiser during the school day. Vending machines are also unavailable for use during the school day.

In an effort to promote the wellness policy, elementary teachers at Shanksville have also begun to promote wellness at a young age by including veggies in their holiday classroom parties.

Shanksville continues to promote the wellness policy daily with the help of several individuals. Wendy Acey, in her fourth year as cafeteria manager, was very receptive to implementing changes as the wellness policy was implemented upon her arrival at Shanksville. Wellness is an important aspect of students’ lives and should be promoted in every school district.